"I called Bakugou to come pick him up. They've been friends since they were kids, so I think he'll feel more comfortable with him around. The guy's been worried sick since Deku disappeared from Ultra, even if he won't admit it out loud," Kirishima said as they stood outside Deku's room. He'd retreated there after the incident in the basement and locked the door.

Todoroki recalled how fierce the blonde had been the night of Deku's attack, not relishing the thought of that explosive man coming here. He'd just found Izuku again, but even with trying to do what he thought was right, he managed to wound him even more. Any retaliation would be well deserved.

"So what's the story going to be, Kirishima? How are we going to explain Enji's death?" Touya asked.

"Oh yeah, my old man figured out the details for that. They got that Hawks guy staged as the one that killed him, with one of Enji's 'guards' shooting him in retaliation. It looks like a dirty deal gone bad. The police force won't look too far into it, even with Enji's status as a high government official. He didn't earn anyone's favor or respect while in office, so I doubt anyone will try digging any deeper."

Todoroki stifled a laugh. "So after all his shady dealings and desire to be at the top, no one will care enough about his death to want to seek the truth. Fitting."

A distant crash on the lower floor alerted them to their expected arrival. Stomping his feet as he took the stairs two or three at a time, Bakugou appeared at the end of the hall, chest heaving and eyes alight with fire.

"You son of a bitch!" yelled the blonde as he drew his right arm back and slugged Todoroki in the face, immediately pulling back and hitting Touya the same way. Staggering back, Todoroki felt a hand clutch the front of his shirt as Bakugou pulled him forward until they were face-to-face. "I told you to leave Deku alone, that you'd done enough fucking damage. But you just couldn't stay away, could you? Neither of you fucking parasites could!"

Hearing the ruckus in the hallway drew Deku from the room, bracing himself against the doorframe as he watched Bakugou punch Todoroki again, blood spraying from his nose and mouth.

"Kacchan, stop! There's been enough fighting, enough hurting!" Waiting until Bakugou held still, Deku cautiously approached and wrapped an arm around his drawn fist. "Please, I just want to go."

Bakugou's eyes softened as they fell to Deku. He took the crutch out of Deku's hand and threw his right arm across his shoulder, supporting Deku as he pulled him tightly against his side. Shouldering himself past the other men, he turned back one more time.

"Your entire family is a plague on this city. A plague that needs to be wiped out. Come near him again and I'll be sure to do so myself."

Todoroki fell to the floor as the two walked away. Bakugou was right, he knew how much damage his father had inflicted not just to Deku and those surrounding them, but across the city as well. He swiped the trickling rivers of blood flowing down away with his sleeve before he rubbed his hand against the rising knots and bruises on his face, pressing into them to feel them ache even more. He'd earned them and didn't want to forget that they were there.

"We know that, bastard," said Touya. "But we have an opportunity here. With Enji out of the picture, we could at least attempt to fix things. I refuse to be considered a part of that man's 'plague' because of our relation. What about you, Sho?"

He stared at the floor, small droplets of blood plopping down in an irregular rhythm. Touya's words sunk deep within him. A seed of hope began to take root and gave him the motivation to bring himself back to his feet. He wanted nothing more than to make things right again, and offering an affirming nod to his brother, set his mind to doing so.

Five Years Later...

"The redevelopment of the low-income districts near the docks is still on schedule and within the budget. We may be able to get the first of the housing units operational before the end of the year." Touya read off the finer details of their office's latest project, his position as advising council for Todoroki had yielded them great success in their plans to erase the damage their father had dealt to the city.

When they set their plan into motion, it was decided that Shoto would be the one to run for the office, since his reputation and public image were spotless, due to the devious efforts of their father. It had been a difficult process, but Todoroki had eventually reached the high position Enji had once occupied. And with that power at his control, he wielded it properly.

"Excellent. I'd like to have those families settled in time for them to celebrate the New Year. Did we take care of the items that Kirishima brought to our attention during our last meeting?"

Touya nodded, "Yes, the businesses that he invested in were approved by the commerce department and are already operational. He actually left a message requesting you join him for a tour of the area."

"Very well, let him know that I'll meet him on the way home. See you tomorrow, Touya."

"Take it easy, Sho." Touya smiled as he left Todoroki's office. After so many years of avoiding his problems, it made Touya feel good to face these new ones head-on and actively fix them. Each project they completed felt like another part of Enji's existence was erased from their city.

Kirishima was waiting at the entrance to the government building when Todoroki walked out. The same goofy smile spread across the redhead's face when he saw him. Todoroki couldn't help but grin in response.

"Hey bro! I heard about your low-income housing project by the docks. I can't tell you how cool that is! That's so manly to take care of them like that," Kirishima said as he offered up his hand for a fist bump that Todoroki gladly accepted.

Most of the families that were to be placed there had been evicted due to Enji's outrageous tax increases and unreasonable loans. It had taken a while, but he had promised to get them off the streets, and he never liked to break a promise.

"It's nothing, just trying to leave this city in better shape than it was when I got here. The real credit should go to you, Kirishima. With your investments and encouragement, you single-handedly revitalized the downtown shopping district."

Kirishima blushed at the praise, ducking his thick neck into his broad shoulders, "Aww, c'mon man, I just thought those people that wanted to open their own business deserved just as much of a chance as anyone else. I want to show you around the area, Touya said you had some time for that."

"Yeah, lead the way." It had been a while since Todoroki had been to the area. He had been there for the initial ground-breaking ceremony and was sure to be kept informed on all the updates, but he had yet to see the results of their efforts. Kirishima led the way with a cheerfully energetic pace, giving Todoroki some much-needed exercise to keep up.

"That bakery opened three weeks ago, and I've yet to see them when their line wasn't out the door. Their meat buns are un-be-lievable, man!" Kirishima was enjoying his chance to show off all the successes that had come out of their joint project. "You give me a lot of the credit for this, bro, but if it hadn't been for the small business grants and resources you put into it, none of this would have been possible."

Todoroki took his turn to be red-faced, looking away at his boisterous friend and around their busy surroundings. Months ago, no one would dare set foot in this part of town. Now the steady flow of foot traffic almost brought on claustrophobic feelings. As they approached the intersection, Todoroki noticed the one-story building situated on the corner of the adjacent side of the intersection.

The building featured ceiling to floor windows with near-perfect visibility to the inner room. Wood paneling and mirrors situated strategically through the open floor plan revealed that it was a dance studio. Todoroki noticed movement within the studio and focused his attention there as they waited for the light to turn in their favor.

Within the window, he found Deku, now fitted with a prosthetic, practicing a dance routine. His disability no longer impeding him, Todoroki watched as his body moved with the same grace and emotion he'd witnessed over five years ago. It hadn't been until Deku had finished his routine that Todoroki noticed that Deku had a group of small children gathered around him, most of them with various prosthetics of their own. He watched as Deku's face lit up as he engaged in conversation with the children.

"He started his own dance studio right after finishing his performing arts degree. It wasn't easy convincing him to accept the grants and donations, but when we told him it would give him the best opportunity to help those kids, he caved."

"That's good, Kirishima," Todoroki said, though his focus had stayed with the actions happening within Deku's studio, giving his response an automated feel. His eyes watered as he watched his former lover move beyond his tragic past and live the dream he'd always yearned for.

Sighing deeply, Kirishima finally spoke his mind. "You know, I could arrange a meeting for you, y'know, if you ever wanted to talk to him again. I know you miss him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he feels the same way."

"No, Kirishima, I appreciate it but that won't be necessary," Todoroki said as he shook his head, realizing their light had given them the right to walk across the street.

"But why, man?"

Pausing once they had reached the other side, Todoroki looked back to Deku's dance studio, where he was coaching the children to copy one of the moves that he had just shown them during his routine.

"Look at him. He's smiling again, Kirishima. I won't give him a reason to stop smiling ever again."